For He came to save all through means of Himself – all, I say, who through Him are born again to God – infants, and children, and boys, and youths, and old men.  He therefore passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, thus sanctifying infants; a child for children, thus sanctifying those who are of this age, being at the same time made to them an example of piety, righteousness, and submission; a youth for youths, becoming an example to youths, and thus sanctifying them for the Lord.  So likewise He was an old man for old men, that He might be a perfect Master for all, not merely as respects the setting forth of the truth, but also as regards age, sanctifying at the same time the aged also, and becoming an example to them likewise.

They, however, that they may establish their false opinion regarding that which is written, "to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord", maintain that He preached for one year only, and then suffered in the twelfth month.  [In speaking thus], they are forgetful to their own disadvantage, destroying His whole work, and robbing Him of that age which is both more necessary and more honourable … "Now Jesus was, as it were, beginning to be thirty years old", when He came to receive baptism; and, [according to these men,] He preached only one year reckoning from His baptism.  On completing His thirtieth year He suffered, being in fact still a young man, and who had by no means attained to advanced age.

Now, that the first stage of early life embraces thirty years (i.e., age 1 to age 30), and that this extends onwards to the fortieth year (31-40), every one will admit; but from the fortieth and fiftieth (40 plus) year a man begins to decline towards old age, which our Lord possessed while He still fulfilled the office of a Teacher, even as the Gospel and all the elders testify…

But, besides this, those very Jews who then disputed with the Lord Jesus Christ have most clearly indicated the same thing.  For when the Lord said to them, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day; and he saw it, and was glad", they answered Him, "Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham?" Now, such language is fittingly applied to one who has already passed the age of forty, without having as yet reached his fiftieth year, yet is not far from this latter period.  But to one who is only thirty years old it would unquestionably be said, "Thou art not yet forty years old."

He did not therefore preach only for one year, nor did He suffer in the twelfth month of the year.  For the period included between the thirtieth and the fiftieth year can never be regarded as one year…